Manipur tribal students shut down NH: shortages soar

Yet another ‘indefinite’ economic blockade on land-locked Manipur. Spurning the offer for talks, the All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM) launched the protest from midnight on Saturday.

ATSUM finance secretary Hemang Haokip said transporters should avoid plying on national and State highways, hinting at dire consequences of defying the blockade, which has been called to protest against “neglect of tribal areas in development projects.” However, as the operators were cautious, trucks, buses and private vehicles pulled up much before midnight.

Government sources, however, said security would be provided for trucks plying on National Highways 53 and 39. Till recently, however, vehicles could use the highways only twice a week owing to shortage of security personnel. Government sources said that the talks offer was still open.

The All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM) gave the go ahead for an indefinite blockade from Sunday morning. The ATSUM leaders seem to be encouraged by the way many tribal NGOs and smaller students’ groups have extended support to the agitation.

ATSUM has been demanding various welfare schemes for the tribals, saying the government has been neglecting the tribals in the state. However government sources said that no question of neglecting the tribals in matters of developmental works, appointments and promotions.

For the last four days oil pumps in the state have been shut down and the owners say that stock has run out. Most of the high demand consumer items including baby food have vanished from the market. Prices of fish, meat, eggs and green vegetables have increased sharply.